Warnock enters battle for Moore
Cardiff City’s hopes of landing Wales striker Kieffer Moore have been hit by a fresh blow – from their former manager Neil Warnock.
The Middlesbrough boss is said to have made in an 11th-hour bid to try to tempt Moore to the North East of England.
Moore, who is also Neil Harris’ number one transfer target, is said to be mulling over his options to decide which of his many suitors to join.
Stoke, Derby, Preston, QPR and Millwall have also been chasing Moore, who appeared to be veering towards a move to Cardiff.
However, the Mail understands the Bluebirds and Moore still have ground to make up on personal terms.
Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan is weighing up his own plans for Cardiff as he considers whether to continue shelling out money, having estimated to have already used £165million of his own money on the Bluebirds.
Harris still hopes to land Moore, but reports Warnock has also joined the hunt will come as an unwelcome distraction to the man who replaced him in the Cardiff hot seat.
Moore, who stands at 6ft 5in, knows he would be perfectly suited to the direct style of play Warnock adopts. Harris also feels Moore’s stature, and the ability on the ball that he has shown with Wales, means he can make the frontman the focal point of his own team.
According to the Northern Echo, it has come down to a straight choice of Middlesbrough or Cardiff for Moore after the two clubs had £2m-plus bids accepted by Wigan.
Moore has spoken to Harris and Warnock as the tug-of-war breaks out over his future.
He is aware the sides at Cardiff or Middlesbrough would be built around him.
The Bluebirds remain hopeful that Moore’s involvement with Wales, and his love of Cardiff City Stadium, can help sway the day.
He wants to play a big part with Wales at next summer’s Euros, and shining with Cardiff will put him firmly in the spotlight for Ryan Giggs.
Warnock accepts Cardiff are still favourites to land Moore but remains hopeful some last-minute persuasion can do the trick for Boro.
Warnock is also keen to sign his former Bluebirds ace Junior Hoilett, who has entered the final year of his contract with Cardiff.
Harris has made Hoilett a key figure during his time in charge of the Bluebirds, but could opt to cash in and utilise Josh Murphy and Nathaniel
Mendez-Laing as his first-choice wingers next season.
If so, he would also be in the market for another wide man this summer.